SANTA CRUZ — An aggressive dog on the loose attacked a man walking home Wednesday night, nearly ripping off his lip and county Animal Services officers are worried about public safety because the large dog has not been found and may attack again.

“That’s defiantly a scary dog that’s out there,” said Todd Stosuy, field supervisor for Animal Services.

The man, a 26-year-old Live Oak resident, was alone on 38th Avenue near Brommer Street around 7:30 p.m. when the dog knocked him to the ground.

“According to him, he was just walking down the street. It was dark out at the time and all of a sudden the dog was on top of him,” Stosuy said.

The man sought help from friends, who took him to the hospital. Medical staff contacted the Sheriff’s Office and Animal Services.

He was bitten on one side of his face near his left eye and nose, and his lip was so badly damaged it was, essentially, sewn back on, according to Animal Services.

“It almost looked like the dog grabbed his face,” Stosuy said.

While Animal Services officers routinely respond to minor dog bites suffered when people give medication to a pet, break up a dog fight or are playing with their pooches, unprovoked attacks by roaming aggressive dogs are rare, according to Stosuy.

Animal Services officers investigate aggressive animal complaints and, about twice a month, issue pound-master orders that require the dog be housed in a cage with a concrete floor and roof — so it can’t escape — and be muzzled when in public. Sometimes, aggressive dogs are euthanized.

In the case of Wednesday night’s attack, the owner also could face misdemeanor charges for allowing a vicious animal to roam.

But, more importantly to Stosuy, officers would like to find the animal.

“The behavior this dog exhibited deeply concerns our agency and we fear the dog could attack again.” Stosuy said. “We have no information regarding this dog’s vaccination history and do not know if the dog has bitten before.”

The attacking dog was a large 80- to 100-pound Rottweiler-type with black and brown fur, according to what the man told Animal Services. Stosuy asked anyone who witnessed the attack or who has information about the dog or its owner call him at 408-454-7254.